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Oh No (Many Things): Second cancer; 1st cancer was thyroid--all gone. I went into surgery expecting this to be Stage 1; came out with a spacer for expansion and found out I had Stage IIIc. Still have not had spacer stretched any further. I don't feel I can celebrate because I feel there is a cloud hanging over my head. I know the cancer was taken out (11 of 13 lymph nodes); but I just keep on going. Finding joy in the everyday things and people helps.

Side Effects (Fatigue (tiredness)): I'm still not able to do an entire 8 hour day. I still need naps or rest periods. I get up at btwn 7-8; go to work from 10 until 3; go home and rest--sometimes sleep; get up and have dinner watch t.v. Doing anything else during the week requires planning, caffeine, and determination.

Side Effects (Confusion): When I complain about this, some people say that it is from aging as much as anything--but I notice making decisions is sometimes harder--especially if there are multiple consequences or steps. I forget appointments. Lock in on one thing and forget another. I get depressed more easily than before all of this.

Side Effects (Surgical site - lymph node removal; mastectomy): It has been 1.5 years since surgery; numbness continues under right arm and in armpit (13 lymph nodes removed); chest where breast was removed still tingly upon touch and feels strange. Most bras are uncomfortable. I wear strapless bras--because I can't stand the pressure on my shoulder.

I've had some good massage therapy in Indianaplois and from a massus with many years experience. I'm trying to teach my body to stop protecting those areas. Rehab removed almost all of the nerve pain in my arm. I had 17 out and Rey to have a massus remove the adhesions under the arm and stretching the skin the right way. If they don't know what they r doing you'll know. If they do there is something called arf a way, in which adhitions are removed. They say it hurts but physical therapy does hurt. We baby it and that's the worst thing we can do. TH tinge lingo will go away. Massage and touch and move those areas as much as you can. Don't let em freeze up. It's ok massage em as much as possible. It works

Celebration: 16 months since surgery; still sensitive around breast area. Hair coming back in nice and thick (thicker than before); and wavy in the back (used to be straight). Consulting 24 hours per week.

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